Doocot Community Trust

Doocot Community Trust
Name	Doocot Community Trust
Type	Non-profit heritage charity
Founded	1998
Location	Edinburgh, Scotland
Leader title	Chair
Leader name	Susan MacGregor
Focus	Heritage preservation, community development, arts engagement

Doocot Community Trust is a Scottish charitable organisation dedicated to preserving urban heritage and repurposing historic structures for community use. The Trust operates within Edinburgh and the Lothians, partnering with local councils, cultural institutions, and arts organisations to deliver conservation, education, and social inclusion projects. Founded by community activists and heritage professionals, the Trust blends conservation practice with creative programming to sustain historic fabric and enliven neighbourhoods.

History

The Trust was established in 1998 following grassroots campaigns inspired by the work of preservationists associated with National Trust for Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, Scottish Civic Trust, Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland, and local activists influenced by precedents in Glasgow and Aberdeen. Early supporters included figures from Edinburgh World Heritage, former councillors from City of Edinburgh Council, and volunteers connected to Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland and Historic Scotland. Initial projects drew on methodologies developed during post-industrial regeneration efforts in New Lanark, Port Dundas, and community-led initiatives in Leith and Gorgie. The Trust secured seed funding from philanthropic donors associated with Heritage Lottery Fund and partnerships with cultural organisations such as National Galleries of Scotland and Scottish Arts Council. Over two decades, the Trust worked alongside agencies including Planning Aid for Scotland, Creative Scotland, Social Investment Scotland, and trusts like ScottishPower Foundation to convert derelict doocots and ancillary buildings into community spaces.

Mission and Objectives

The Trust’s mission aligns with objectives championed by entities such as UNESCO and heritage charters promoted by ICOMOS. Core aims include conserving masonry and timberwork following standards used by English Heritage and Cadw, promoting vocational training in conservation trades linked to programmes at Edinburgh College, and fostering participatory arts commissions modeled on collaborations with Tramway and Traverse Theatre. The Trust prioritises inclusive access principles comparable to those advocated by Equality and Human Rights Commission and engages with social agencies such as Citizens Advice Scotland and Voluntary Action Scotland to support local wellbeing. Objectives include securing statutory protections through mechanisms used by Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997 and leveraging funding routes familiar to applicants of Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund.

Buildings and Sites

The Trust specialises in small-scale heritage assets, particularly dovecotes and ancillary urban structures similar to examples in Rosslyn, Barnton, Colinton, and Bonnington. Projects reflect conservation practice seen at sites like Cramond Roman Fort, John Knox House, and restoration campaigns for properties within Stockbridge and Dean Village. Adaptive reuse schemes reference successful models at Edinburgh Castle visitor facilities, community hubs at Summerhall, and conversions undertaken by The Stove Network in Dumfries. Collaborations have included casework with conservation officers from Historic Environment Scotland and building surveys by specialists linked to RIBA and the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.

Programs and Activities

Programmatic work mirrors initiatives by Creative Scotland and Arts Council England and includes vocational apprenticeships coordinated with Scotland’s Colleges, heritage volunteering comparable to schemes run by National Trust for Scotland, and community arts commissions inspired by Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Festival Fringe Society. Activities encompass workshops utilising methodologies from Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland, site archaeology comparable to projects by Historic Environment Scotland, public lectures akin to events at National Library of Scotland, and family learning sessions similar to offerings by National Museums Scotland. The Trust has hosted exhibitions referencing curatorial practices from Scottish National Gallery and partnered with social enterprises resembling Social Bite and The Conservation Volunteers for employability projects.

Governance and Funding

Governance follows charity best practice promoted by OSCR and board structures comparable to trusteeships at Scottish Civic Trust and Voluntary Arts Scotland. Financial oversight engages accountants and auditors experienced with funding streams from Heritage Lottery Fund, Big Lottery Fund, Creative Scotland, and local grantmaking bodies including City of Edinburgh Council and Lothian and Borders Community Justice Authority. The Trust pursues corporate partnerships similar to arrangements with RBS and Barclays philanthropic arms, and has accepted in-kind support from professional firms associated with RICS, ICE, and RIBA.

Community Impact and Reception

Local reception has been shaped by dialogues with community councils across Edinburgh, tenant groups active in Albany and Leith Walk, and social agencies such as Sacro and Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland delivering wellbeing services. Impact assessments reference metrics used by Scottish Community Development Centre and case studies resembling evaluations by Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Nesta. Media coverage has appeared in outlets ranging from The Scotsman and The Herald (Glasgow) to broadcasting by BBC Scotland and community radio stations like Leith FM. National commentators on heritage policy from Historic Environment Scotland and academics affiliated with University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, and Heriot-Watt University have cited the Trust’s adaptive reuse projects in discussions on urban regeneration and social enterprise.

Category:Charities based in Edinburgh